JDU MLA Anant Singh lodged in Beur Jail; Jailor shifted

Patna: Beur jailor was transferred today even as JD(U) strongman and MLA Anant Singh, who was ordered 14 days in judicial custody in connection with the kidnapping of a builder, was lodged in a division ward of the prison.

Jailor Amarjeet Sinha has been transferred to Aurangabad, according to an order issued by the Prisons Department here.

Inspector General of Prisons Prem Singh Meena told the transfer of the Beur Jail Superintendent and jail custody of the MLA was a 'pure coincidence'. It was an administrative decision and nine others have also been transferred.

Media reports, however, said the jailor had extended warm courtesy to Singh when he arrived at Beur jail past midnight.

Singh, MLA from Mokamah, was lodged in Beur jail after Danapur Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM) Tribhuvan Nath remanded him to 14 days in judicial custody late last night in connection with the kidnapping of a builder last year.

Sources in Beur jail, on condition of anonymity, said the sitting MLA who has been lodged in division ward meant for speaker, minister, legislator and ex-minister and is provided facilities as per rule in such category.

Accordingly, he has been given a wooden bed, mattress, table and chair, mosquito net, two jail inmates for his service and separate cooking facility. Though TV is not available inside the ward where Singh is staying at present, it would be given to him as per standing order, the sources said.

Former minister Vijay Krishna, facing jail term in a murder case, is staying in one of the four division wards in Beur. Following Singh's confinement in Beur prison, security has been tightened outside it, official sources said.